The Tekken 8 community is reeling with frustration following the Season 2 update, which has introduced several contentious changes to the game. The patch notes unveiled a sweeping increase in character damage potential and offensive pressure, prompting outcry from fans who feel that these alterations have shifted the game away from its traditional Tekken roots.

Professional Tekken player JoKa expressed his dismay, stating that the Season 2 update has transformed the game to the point where "this does not feel like Tekken AT ALL." He elaborated on the changes, criticizing the buffs to characters, the enhancement of 50/50 situations through stance-based transitions, and the introduction of new moves with little counterplay. JoKa also pointed out the removal of character weaknesses and identities through homogenization, the weakening of oki mechanics, the excessive combo damage across the roster, and the lack of promised defensive options. Despite acknowledging improved sidesteps, he questioned their relevance given the presence of moves with "crazy tracking/hitboxes" and the ongoing issue of excessive chip damage from heat smashes.

T8 now hit the most negative reviews in a day since the day the Tekken Shop launched one year ago
byu/YourGameTVlol inTekken

.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }Unsurprisingly, the Tekken 8 Steam page has become a focal point for player discontent. The game has been inundated with over 1,100 negative reviews in just the last two days, resulting in a 'mostly negative' user review rating for recent reviews. One of the 'most helpful' reviews described the game as "genuinely good but held back by schizophrenic insane developers sent from hell." Other reviews lamented the new season's focus on easy mix-up mechanics without defensive buffs, and the overpowering offense that strips agency from defending players. Many fans are disheartened by the game's shift towards constant 50/50 situations and the apparent lack of creative character development beyond offensive capabilities.

In response to these changes, some Tekken enthusiasts are turning to Capcom's Street Fighter 6, while others label Season 2 as the "worst patch in Tekken history." Several professional players are even contemplating abandoning Tekken 8 altogether.

I don't know if I'll continue playing Tekken if this patch stays.
I'm sorry for doomposting, but I thought it had a chance to be a better game.
I'm just really sad.
Like depressed.
I streamed 70 hours of Tekken this past week to prep for s2 just to have those hopes shattered.
Gn.

— END | Jesandy (@Jesandy1572) April 1, 2025

Amidst the uproar, the community is eagerly awaiting a response from the development team. Calls for action range from a complete rollback of the patch to an emergency follow-up patch to address the most pressing concerns.